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Best Reviewed
Trail Running Shoes
- Best trail-running shoe Brooks Cascadia 4 *Est. $100
- Budget trail-running shoe New Balance 840 *Est. $85
- Motion-control trail running shoe Adidas Supernova Riot *Est. $100
- Green trail running shoe END Stumptown 12 oz *Est. $85
- Waterproof trail running shoe Salomon XT Wings GTX *Est. $160
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Budget trail-running shoe
- Inexpensive
- Good traction
- Seamless upper helps prevent blisters
- Less stability than other trail-running shoes
Buy from Zappos.comApril 2009. Reviewers like the New Balance 840, and recommend this lightweight trail-running shoe for efficient runners who don't need lots of stability or cushioning. Testers find that the seamless upper helps keep blisters at bay, and the rubber-lugged outsole provides good traction on rocky trails. What's also nice is the $85 price tag, which is significantly less than other top-rated trail-running shoes. Since the New Balance 840 has less stability and cushioning than comparable trail-running shoes, experts recommend it for runners with a normal gait who don't overpronate. For overpronators and heavier runners, reviewers recommend the Adidas Supernova Riot (*est. $100). Mild overpronators who need a little more stability than the New Balance 840 provides should take a look at the top-rated Brooks Cascadia 4 (*est. $100).
As usual, Runner's World provides the best coverage of the New Balance 840. Fitness magazine, Outside and National Geographic Adventure also highlight the New Balance 840 in brief reviews, but they are short on details. Even though they don't make any picks, Trail Runner and Running Times are useful cross-references and provide valuable expert and wear-tester feedback on this trail running shoe.
Our Sources
1. Runner's WorldDetails/Subscribe
The New Balance 840 doesn't win any awards from Runner's World, but it still recommends this lightweight trail-running shoe for efficient runners. The outsole and midsole haven't changed, which pleases their testers, but a redesigned upper helps create a better forefoot fit.
Review: New Balance 840, Warren Greene and Ray Fredericksen, Oct. 2008
2. Outside MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Outside magazine ultimately selects another trail-running shoe for its Gear of the Year award, but still recommends the New Balance 840 for technical trails. The magazine's editors praise the beefy lugs and traction, but their testers could easily feel stones and branches underfoot.
Review: New Balance 840, Lisa Jhung, Winter 2009
3. RunningTimes.comDetails/Subscribe
Testers for Running Times love the New Balance 840, declaring that the improved cushioning in the heel and toebox make it a great upgrade to the New Balance 800. "This is my pick for the best shoe of the year," one happy tester raves. However, Running Times cautions that this shoe is not designed for overpronators or heavy runners.
Review: Trail Shoe: New Balance 840, Adam W. Chase, Dec. 2008
4. Fitness MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Fitness magazine picks the New Balance 840 as one of the best shoes for cross-country running, citing the internal lining that helps prevent blisters and ample cushioning in the heel. Its wear-tester loves the shoe, finding it performs well on dirt, grass and rocky terrain.
Review: The Best Sneakers for Cross-Country Running, Alice Oglethorpe and Marianne Magno
5. Trail Runner MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Trail Runner's testers find that the New Balance 840 has a good amount of cushioning for a lightweight trail running shoe, while still allowing you to feel the trail. The only downside is a mesh upper that is a little unstable, even if it is highly breathable.
Review: Happy Feet -- October 2008, Michael Benge and Elinor Fish, Oct. 2008
6. National Geographic AdventureDetails/Subscribe
National Geographic Adventure echoes other reviewers in praising the New Balance 840's grippy outsole. They find it grips the trail well, with a lightweight fit that helps you power up hills.
Review: Sole Season: Trail Shoes, Steve Casimiro, Sept. 2008
7. Amazon.com
In about a dozen reviews, owners generally like the men's version of the New Balance 840 on Amazon.com. This trail-running shoe receives high marks for cushioning and traction, but several reviewers find the shoe runs small.
Review: New Balance Men's MT840 Training Shoe, Contributors to Amazon.com
Trail Running Shoes Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
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